SF 49ers: 5 bold trades to help free up cap space in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: SF 49ers send off Jimmy Garoppolo to Bill Belichick, Patriots
The two camps of the SF 49ers fanbase regarding the future of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo can agree on one thing: He’s going to cost a good chunk of change in 2021, $26.6 million to be exact.
It’s hard to envision Garoppolo getting that kind of money again on a free-agent deal, if cut, this offseason. And the Niners may not want to move on from Jimmy G anyway, especially after multiple reports about their involvement in soon-to-be former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford suggested San Francisco wasn’t overly interested.
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But let’s assume here for a moment the SF 49ers decide to move Garoppolo this offseason in a purely cap-savings move. That creates a massive void under center, yes, but the ability to generate $24.1 million in cap savings is reason enough to believe it’s possible.
So, which team would take on Garoppolo? Well, his former employer, the New England Patriots, of course.
There’s some smoke about a potential reunion with Jimmy G’s former head coach, Bill Belichick, who initially considered Garoppolo the heir apparent to now-Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.
The Pats aren’t going to retain their 2020 quarterback, Cam Newton. And with $63 million in cap space, they could afford to send back a day-two pick to the Niners while taking on Garoppolo’s cap hit this upcoming season and into next year.
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This, only if San Francisco was intent on moving Garoppolo. But it would free up a ton of cap space. No doubting that.